What a great day to be a Hawkeye. Perfect weather, seeing old friends that I went to the University of Iowa with, a big win by the football team for Homecoming, and I sure like what I saw by the Hawks in the wrestling room. That is having it all.
It was great to see the advancement in construction on “The greatest wrestling training facility…in the world!” I believe the large walls that are up is where the wrestling room will be. What an amazing facility. I cannot wait for this facility to be completed. A huge thank you to all of the boosters that are making this dream a reality.
I will state my customary disclaimer that just because I do not mention someone does NOT mean they were not at practice. I can only write about who I was able to see. With more than a dozen matches going at once it is challenging to keep up with. Also even though I have written quite a bit about our incoming recruits I still do not know all of them to see them.
The bleachers were full at 9 AM for the start of practice even though kickoff for the football game was at 2:35. That is impressive. Less than a half hour into practice and the mats were shiny with sweat and you saw coaches going around with a broom to wipe the sweat away. The boys were working hard and the sweat was pouring out of them for a practice in October.
The best matchup of the day for me as a fan was Abe Assad-Alex Marinelli. We all know what Bull looks like. I am here to tell you Assad looks good. Real good. Abe Assad needs two things: Good health and confidence. Assad has definitely grown since last year and he sure looks healthy and ready to go. I will keep telling you in this blog that Assad has elite potential. To have him get off to a quick start for the season and build on that confidence would be great.
A guy that sticks out to me is Brody Teske. This guy is scrappy and a hustler. The matchup between former Sebolt teammates Teske and Cullan Schriever will be a good one to watch at 133. That may be a competition back and forth throughout the season. Whether it is Teske or Schriever taking the mats at Big Tens I will be confident that they will score some real good points for us at Nationals.
As a proud Lisbon, Iowa grad it was great to see two Siebrechts in the room with the addition of true freshman Cade. 157 is wide open and I like Cobe Siebrecht’s chances to make the lineup. Add in Assistant Coach Ryan Morningstar and that is a small farming community in Iowa being represented very well at the elite level.
Jacob Warner was wrestling true freshman Kolby Franklin. This is the best that I have ever seen Warner at this time of year. Actually I believe he looks better to me right now physically in October than he did heading into Big Tens last year. Warner looks to be in shape and ready to step on the mat at the NCAA Championships right now. I also see a swagger of confidence in the way that he carries himself that I have never seen before. Winning a national title is the front and center goal for this Hawk.
I caught a glimpse of Spencer Lee at the end of practice. He sure looks more muscular than the last time I saw him compete. His weight is spot on but I believe he will be noticeably stronger this year. Just what Hawk fans love to hear and it is indeed the truth. You will see.
The Iowa Wrestling room is stocked full of young heavyweights. Three true freshmen have made their way to the program and they look good. Easton Fleshman and Gage Marty are big fellows that move well. That is two big teenagers. I cannot believe how big Brad Hill is. He just won a Junior national title over teammate Kolby Franklin in July at 220. Hill has to be all of 235 lbs. and cut now. I look for him to be around 250 next year. This guy has the frame to be an absolute beast at Hwt. I sure liked what I saw from him today. Ton of potential.
Real Woods was going through an individual strength workout. He certainly looks the part. The addition of Woods sure changes the possibilities that this Hawk team has at Nationals.
Drake Ayala will not be undersized at 125 for the rest of his career. He has filled in and looks ornery in a great way.
Max Murin is shredded and ready to go at 149. This guy does not have an off season. Gotta love a grinder like Murin. This guy just never stops and is always pushing to get better.
Thank you to Iowa Wrestling for opening the doors to the room for practice. As a fan it was great to see the boys in action.
Even though Iowa is ranked #2 in all of the team rankings that I have seen I still believe the potential is there for this team to be much better than people are expecting. I cannot wait for the season to begin.
The Hawks open the season Sunday, November 13 with a home dual meet in legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Cal Baptist.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
